However, the verse melody of "Rock Around the Clock" does bear a very close similarity to that of Hank Williams' first hit, " Move It On Over", from 1947. There are many blues songs with the theme of partying or making love "round the clock", with various actions specified at various hours. Though the titles are similar, the two songs bear little resemblance. In addition, it is sometimes erroneously stated that "Rock Around the Clock" is copied from a late-1940s Big Joe Turner recording, "Around the Clock Blues". There were several earlier songs of the title "Rock Around the Clock" (by Hal Singer and Wally Mercer), but they are unrelated to the Freedman/Myers song. However, its exact authorship is disputed, with many speculating that Freedman wrote the song on his own. Freedman when it was copyrighted on March 31, 1953. The song was credited to Myers (as "Jimmy DeKnight") and Max C. The original arrangement of the song bore little resemblance to the version recorded by Haley, and was in fact closer to a popular instrumental of the day called " The Syncopated Clock" (written by Leroy Anderson). There are sources that indicate that "Rock Around the Clock" was written in 1953, but documents uncovered by historian Jim Dawson indicate it was in fact written in late 1952. In 2018, it was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or artistically significant." This was later shortened to " (We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock", though this form is generally only used on releases of the 1954 Bill Haley Decca Records recording most other recordings of this song by Haley and others (including Sonny Dae) shorten this title further to "Rock Around the Clock". The original full title of the song was " We're Gonna Rock Around the Clock Tonight!". 159 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.Īlthough it was first recorded by Italian-American band Sonny Dae and His Knights on March 20, 1954, Myers claimed the song had been written specifically for Haley but, for various reasons, Haley was unable to record it himself until April 12, 1954. The recording is widely considered to be the song that, more than any other, brought rock and roll into mainstream culture around the world. It was Number 1 on the pop charts for two months and went to Number 3 on the R&B chart. Haley's recording became an anthem for rebellious 1950s youth, particularly after it was included in the 1955 film Blackboard Jungle. (Bill Haley had American chart success with " Crazy Man, Crazy" in 1953, and in 1954, " Shake, Rattle and Roll" sung by Big Joe Turner reached No. It was the first rock and roll record to reach #1 on the US charts. It was a number one single for two months and did well on the United Kingdom charts the recording also reentered the UK Singles Chart in the 1960s and 1970s. The best-known and most successful rendition was recorded by Bill Haley & His Comets in 1954 for American Decca. Myers (the latter being under the pseudonym "Jimmy De Knight") in 1952. The lead guitarist brought in for the session, Danny Cedrone, had not had time to work up a new solo for the instrumental break on “(We’re Gonna) Rock Around The Clock,” so he repurposed one he’d used on a Haley recording two years earlier called “Rock This Joint.” Cedrone was paid $31 for his work that evening, which included performing what is still recognized as one of the greatest guitar solos of all time." Rock Around the Clock" is a rock and roll song in the 12-bar blues format written by Max C. With time running out and no chance of extending the session, Haley and his Comets were eager to lay down the song they’d been playing live for many months to enthusiastic audience response. And if Bill Haley was not exactly the revolution’s Thomas Jefferson, it may be fair to call him its John Hancock.īill Haley put his enormous signature on rock and roll history during the final 40 minutes of a three-hour recording session in New York City-a session set up not for the recording of “(We’re Gonna) Rock Around The Clock,” but of a song called “Thirteen Women (and Only One Man in Town).” It took the group nearly all of their scheduled session to get a useable take of “Thirteen Women,” a song that was entirely new to them but was chosen as the A-side of their upcoming single by their new record label, Decca. On April 12, 1954- Bill Haley and His Comets recorded “(We’re Gonna) Rock Around The Clock.” If rock and roll was a social and cultural revolution, then “(We’re Gonna) Rock Around The Clock” was its Declaration of Independence.
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